Silencing of Molecular Targets with Relevance to Insecticide Resistance in Colorado Potato Beetle Using dsRNA

Various approaches based on RNA interference (RNAi) have garnered significant attention in the field of insect pest management in recent years. For example, the use of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has notably been investigated to target transcripts of interest with relevance to insecticide resistance in multiple pests and has emerged as a potential tool to be deployed in agricultural fields in the near future. A careful characterization of a given dsRNA in a laboratory setting, including the assessment of dsRNA-mediated molecular and phenotypical changes observed in the targeted pest upon dsRNA exposure, is nevertheless essential prior to its use in field-based study. The current chapter thus describes the process via which a dsRNA, aimed at a molecular target underlying insecticide response in the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata, is conceived, synthesized and injected. Assessment of knockdown efficiency in injected insects is further presented.